Independent contractors and subcontractors also must obtain coverage for their employees. If you do not have an existing policy with BWC and you are a new employer starting a business, or if you have acquired all of an existing business, you must complete the Application for Ohio Workers’ Compensation Coverage (U-3).

State-fund public employers - defined as school districts, counties, townships, or other public employer taxing districts - must include a resolution or copy of their meeting minutes signed by an appointing authority, and/or the court order creating the entity when applying for coverage. Public employers can mail their completed applications with these additional documents to the following address:

Once coverage starts, the employer can set up their e-account to report payroll, pay premiums and access policy information. Employers may even earn discounts by paying online and on time. Refer to the following for more information.

As a new employer, you will also be responsible for selecting a managed care organization (MCO). An MCO manages the medical portion of a claim to ensure injured workers receive the quality medical care they deserve. If you do not choose an MCO within 30 days, we may assign one.